Cult of Islay 9 years 2012 – 2022 Crafted Blend

The name 'Cult of Islay' says it all. This bold Crafted Blend by Murray McDavid pays homage to the smoky heritage of Islay, but adds a creative twist. Distilled in 2012 and bottled in 2022, this whisky matured in sherry and bourbon casks, with a final flourish in a first fill tawny port cask. The result is a whisky with real attitude: smoky, sweet, rich, and full of character. And at 50% ABV, it’s no wallflower.

A blend of Islay, Highland, Speyside and Lowland whiskies - but make no mistake: the soul of Islay is front and centre.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bold aromas of campfire smoke, seaweed and iodine, followed by a rich wave of sweet red fruits, raisins and dried plums from the port cask influence.

Palate

Full-bodied and layered. The initial punch of peat smoke and sea salt gives way to juicy grapes, dark chocolate and candied orange peel. Complex yet well-balanced.

Finish

Long, warming and slightly drying. Lingering smoke is joined by notes of oak, clove and a hint of cherry liqueur.

Een must-have voor de liefhebbers van turf met een twist.

Murray McDavid

Murray McDavid is an independent Scottish bottler founded in 1994 by Mark Reynier, Simon Coughlin, and Gordon Wright. The company is known for its innovative approach to whisky, focusing on selecting high-quality casks and experimenting with unique maturation processes.

Murray McDavid bottles whisky from different distilleries, both single malts and blended malts, and often introduces secondary maturities in different types of casks, such as wine, rum or sherry casks, to create complex flavour profiles. They have several series such as "Mission Gold," "Benchmark," and "Cask Craft."

An important aspect of Murray McDavid is their focus on transparency. They provide detailed information about the origin of the whisky, the casks used and the ageing time, which makes them popular among connoisseurs and collectors. In 2013, Murray McDavid was acquired by Aceo Ltd, which expanded their ability to continue producing unique whiskies. Murray McDavid's bottlings are often praised for their quality and the creative way they combine traditional whisky techniques with modern innovations.